November 18, 2025
- kmikulski6
- Nov 18
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 24
Welcome to the latest news blog for St. John Neumann Parish. This page will be updated weekly with the most recent information to keep you informed. You can also access past blogs by clicking on the links on our blog landing page.
Father Dan's Ski Chair Chat
Parish News
Upcoming Events
Beginning this weekend, Gift Giving tags are now available in the Narthex. The program is coordinated by the SJN Knights of Columbus and helps to bring Christmas to those who otherwise might not receive anything during this special time of year. Help to bring joy to those less fortunate by taking a tag and purchasing the suggested gift or gift card on the tag. Wrap the gift and attach the tag and return it to the table in the Narthex on or before December 7th. The gifts will then be distributed to the appropriate agency. Please do not take a tag unless you intend to return it with a gift or gift card! Gift cards should be placed in an envelope with the tag attached to it and then placed in the offertory box. The $25 gift cards for Target, Walmart, Giant and Weis Markets can be purchased in the church office. Buying them through the church office benefits the church school. Thank you!
Extraordinary Minister Training
Deacon Peter Jupin will hold two sessions for Mandate Training of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. He will hold a morning session on Tuesday, December 2 from 10 a.m. to Noon in the Social Hall. There will also be an evening session on Wednesday, December 3 from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Social Hall.
If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please call the Parish Office.
Advent Wreath
As Advent draws near, we are inviting families to assist in lighting the candles before each Mass. If your family is interested in participating, please scan the QR code below to sign up.
St. Anne-Neumann Seniors
In the bulletin, you will find that the St. Anne-Neumann Seniors are having a guest speaker at their meeting on Tuesday, November 25th.
In addition to Elaine Carrigan, they will have a special guest speaker - Maureen Fitzgerald.
Maureen will give her presentation title "Journey of Hope," her spiritual experience of thanksgiving honoring her apparition of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje.
Letter from Off The Streets
Dear Friends and Family,
I'm reaching out to you today to share a cause that's close to my heart and ask for your support: Off The Streets Lancaster. This incredible all-volunteer organization has been helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness since 2013, and their impact is vital now more than ever.
On Friday, November 21st, Lancaster County will hold its largest day of online giving, The ExtraGive. Beginning in 2012, “The ExtraGive” has raised over 110 million dollars for over 500 local organizations. Last year, Off The Streets raised over $65,000 in a single day, finishing as one of the top 25 organizations!
Your donation has a direct and immediate impact. It can provide a:
Security deposit for an apartment
Warm bed and essential basic living needs
Fresh start and restore dignity for a person or family who has experienced homelessness in our community
NEW: Donate In Advance and Avoid Fees!
For the first time this year, you can mail a check in advance of the ExtraGive to Off The Streets! These "offline gifts" will still be captured on the ExtraGive platform and will count toward our goal on November 21st, but they are not subject to any additional processing fees.
If you prefer to donate this way, please note the following:
Checks must be received by November 21st
Make payable to: "Off The Streets Lancaster"
Important: You must indicate "ExtraGive" in the memo line to ensure your gift is counted toward our ExtraGive goal
Mail your donation to: Off The Streets Lancaster 601 E. Delp Rd Lancaster, PA 17601
Of course, if online giving is preferred, the Extra Give website is open on November 21st only. Thank you so much for considering a donation toward our goal of $75,000. I've enclosed a flyer that tells you more about the amazing work Off The Streets is doing.
Let's make this our best ExtraGive yet!
Diocesan News & Events
On November 4, 2025, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published a document called Mater Populi Fidelis (“Mother of the Faithful People of God”). Mater Populi Fidelis teaches that Mary is rightly honored as the “Mother of the Faithful,” but she should not be called “Co-Redemptrix,” because that risks obscuring Christ’s unique role in salvation. It also warns that the title “Mediatrix” can be problematic unless used in a way that clearly shows her mediation is subordinate to—and flows from—Jesus. Above all, the document centers Mary’s role on her motherhood and intercession, rooted in her union with Christ, rather than on exaggerated or confusing titles. Click here for the full document.
See a flyer from Retrouvaille below.
Matthew 25 Collection
The Pastoral Care Teams at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and WellSpan York Hospital are seeking Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to volunteer their time in support of ministry to the sick. This is a meaningful opportunity to bring the comfort of the Eucharist to patients in need of spiritual care.
For information about volunteering at Hershey Medical Center, please contact Mrs. Tess Zuech-Cesari at tzuechcesari@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
For information about volunteering at WellSpan York Hospital, please contact Father Damon Tritle at FrDTritle@hbgdiocese.org. Thank you.
Click here for the Society of Little Flower Relics Tour dates!
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Hershey, will offer its next Sensory-friendly Mass on Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 pm in the Main Church (359 W. Areba Ave., Hershey). The Mass will include dimmer lighting, no music, and a shorter homily, among other adaptations to promote a fully inclusive environment. Every effort will be made to accommodate all in attendance, and all behaviors are welcome. For more information, please contact the Parish Office at 717-533-7168 or Office@stjoanhershey.org. Thank you.
The Diocese of Harrisburg is excited to announce the first Diocesan Catholic Social Teaching Symposium to be held in-person (4800 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg) on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This full day event will emphasize education, action, and advocacy for issues relating to the Catholic Church’s long history of social teaching, with an emphasis on the dignity of the human person. The event will feature expert panel sessions on immigration and healthcare, as well as a variety of breakout sessions to explore other issues. Please plan to attend and look for the registration to open in early December 2025.
A parishioner at OPMH parish is asking for prayers and the help of a truly selfless individual. His wife, Jody, is in need of a living donor kidney transplant. Due to a genetic condition, both her kidneys are slowly failing. If you would like to learn more about the disease or the donation process, please contact her at: kidneyforjody@gmail.com.
Hallow
Advent at a Glimpse
Get a glimpse into what this Advent will look like for you with Hallow:
● Find a model of stillness through Scripture with Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in The Chosen.
● Learn practical ways to be still in your daily life with award-winning actor Chris Pratt through The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. ● Reflect with artist Gwen Stefani on how the saints embraced silence and rest on Saturdays, and dive into contemplative prayer with Mother Natalia, a Byzantine Catholic nun.
● Reflect on passages from The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, a former Division I athlete who joined the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.
● Journey through Scripture in imaginative prayer with Fr. John Burns, author, speaker, and priest with the Community of the Beatitudes.
● Prepare your heart for Christ’s coming each Sunday with homilies by Fr. Pierre Touissant CFR.
How do I access SJN's parish page on Hallow?
Everyone is invited to be a part of our parish community page. There, you can create a profile, add friends, share/respond to prayer intentions, and take part in prayer challenges with the parish. The steps are simple:
Download or open the Hallow app on your phone
Join the parish page. Tap “Community” on the menu at the bottom of your screen > Select “Join a Church” > Search for our parish by typing "Saint John Neumann Parish" > Join the parish page. Spell out the word "Saint" when searching for our parish.
Start praying with us!
Did Your $1 Hallow Trial Expire?
If you currently have a Hallow premium subscription (or $1 trial) and would like to renew, our Hallow Parish Partnership is offering a 25% discount on a premium subscription annually for the duration of our Hallow Parish Partnership. To redeem this, follow these instructions:
Cancel your current Hallow subscription.
Open your Hallow app. Go to the “Me” tab > Settings > Subscription > Cancel my Subscription.
Go to Hallow.com/redeem.
Enter code: GrowthSub25
Follow the steps to get your discount.
Enjoy your Hallow premium subscription, and don’t forget to join our parish page on Hallow!
Open the Hallow app
Go to the community (church) tab at the bottom of your screen
Select “Join a Church” and search for our parish by typing exactly "Saint John Neumann Parish."
Start praying with the parish!
Ministry Team Members
Are you a member of a ministry team at SJN and interested in a premium Hallow account? Reach out to Erin Houser at the parish office or email ehouser@sjnlancaster.org to request access. Premium accounts are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Faith Formation (Religious Education) Students and Families
If you are a registered parent or student in our Faith Formation Program and would like to obtain a premium Hallow subscription, please click here to submit your information and get your account started.
Customer Support
If you have any issues getting someone set up on the app, please reach out to parishsupport@hallow.app. Hallow has an incredibly talented support team that responds to parish partners with super high priority. You may also direct inquiries to Erin Houser at the parish office, ehouser@sjnlancaster.org.
Youth Ministry
As a reminder, YM events are still scheduled. God bless!
Faith Formation
Meet Our Catechist: Anne Campbell
We are delighted to have Anne Campbell join our Faith Formation Ministry team as a first-grade assistant catechist. Anne brings a joyful spirit, a heart for service, and a deep love for her faith to our faith formation program.
Anne grew up in Lancaster, PA, where she received all her Sacraments at St. Anne’s. She is a proud graduate of LCHS, St. Joe’s School of Nursing, and Eastern Mennonite University, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing.
Her commitment to caring for others shines through her work and volunteer service. Anne works for LGH/Penn Medicine in the CDI Department and volunteers with the Parish Health Ministry, the Lancaster Food Hub, and Greystone Therapeutic Riding Center. Anne has a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and feels blessed to have made a pilgrimage to Fatima and walked the Camino Portuguese. This year, she is especially excited to travel to Rome for the Jubilee. We are grateful to have Anne’s faith, enthusiasm, and generous heart in our program!
✨ Stay tuned each week as we introduce our amazing catechists who make Faith Formation at St. John Neumann so special.
Parish Health Ministry (PHM)
The Mental Health Awareness bookshelf in the Narthex has been updated with Care Notes in reference to the Advent and Christmas Season. Please help yourself to these resources and if there is a topic your= are interested in email. Mentalhealthministry@sjnlancaster.org
MHM Spiritual Support Group will meet Monday morning December 4th from 6:45-8PM in the Parish Library
Are you anxious; is upcoming holidays stressing you out? Does life feel out of control? Join us in a safe, confidential space where you can be heard and supported. All are welcomed.
Jesus says, “come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
St. John Neumann Catholic School
SJNCS Construction
Each day brings us closer to enjoying our exciting new additions!
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